An assembly includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, and a self-piercing rivet. The lower substrate defines a preformed interior cavity and a preformed exterior profile adjacent the interior cavity to define a variable thickness wall. The self-piercing rivet extends through the upper substrate and into the preformed interior cavity of the lower substrate.

A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

A composite structural component comprises an elongate member made of a polymer matrix composite material. The elongate member comprises a main portion extending along an axis A and an end portion with an inner surface extending from the main portion to an open end of the member. The composite structural component also comprises an end fitting forming a mechanical joint with the end portion, the end fitting comprising an internal portion positioned captive within the elongate member in contact with the inner surface of the end portion; an external portion positioned in contact with an outer surface of the end portion; and an adjustable fastener extending axially between the internal and external portions to clamp the end portion between the internal and external portions. The inner surface of the end portion in contact with the internal portion extends towards the axis A at an increasing angle to the axis A.

A composite structural component comprises an elongate member made of a polymer matrix composite material. The elongate member comprises a main portion extending along an axis A and an end portion with an inner surface extending from the main portion to an open end of the member. The composite structural component also comprises an end fitting forming a mechanical joint with the end portion, the end fitting comprising an internal portion positioned captive within the elongate member in contact with the inner surface of the end portion; an external portion positioned in contact with an outer surface of the end portion; and an adjustable fastener extending axially between the internal and external portions to clamp the end portion between the internal and external portions. The inner surface of the end portion in contact with the internal portion extends towards the axis A at an increasing angle to the axis A.

An outer ring (29) is first transported to an insertion point (E) in the feed device (34). At the same time, a circular blank ring (30) is brought into a starting position (P) in the feed device. The circular blank ring (29) is first aligned coaxially with respect to an axis (A) using a centering body (61). The circular blank ring moves solely radially with respect to the axis (A). The circular blank ring (30) is then inserted into the hole of the outer ring (29). During this movement, the circular blank ring is aligned coaxially with respect to the axis (A) preferably using a centering channel (54). The circular blank ring (30) carries out a superimposed movement in the axial direction (V) and in the radial direction radially with respect to the axis (A).

An outer ring (29) is first transported to an insertion point (E) in the feed device (34). At the same time, a circular blank ring (30) is brought into a starting position (P) in the feed device. The circular blank ring (29) is first aligned coaxially with respect to an axis (A) using a centering body (61). The circular blank ring moves solely radially with respect to the axis (A). The circular blank ring (30) is then inserted into the hole of the outer ring (29). During this movement, the circular blank ring is aligned coaxially with respect to the axis (A) preferably using a centering channel (54). The circular blank ring (30) carries out a superimposed movement in the axial direction (V) and in the radial direction radially with respect to the axis (A).

Disclosed is a composite beam structure having: an end piece, an end piece outer periphery surface, and an end piece mating end defining an end piece axial boundary, the end piece includes wedge-shaped inner locking features that are formed to project outwardly from the end piece outer periphery surface at the end piece mating end and are spaced apart from one another in the hoop direction; and a composite tube configured to surround at least a portion of the end piece mating end to form a beam joint, wedge-shaped imprints are formed through the composite tube, corresponding to the wedge-shaped inner locking features, the wedge-shaped imprints define respective composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces about a composite tube inner periphery and composite tube wedge-shaped boss surfaces about a composite tube outer periphery, and the wedge-shaped inner locking features of the end piece are covered by the composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces.

A method for reducing stress and distortion in a component during a friction welding process includes securing first and second workpieces of the component within an inertia welding machine such that the first and second workpieces are affixed in opposition to each other. The method also includes securing at least one annular support member at least partially around the first workpiece and/or the second workpiece at a location having a reduced cross-section as compared to remaining portions of the first workpiece and/or the second workpiece. Further, the method includes rotating the first workpiece to a predetermined rotational speed. In addition, the method includes engaging the second workpiece with the rotating first workpiece so as to generate frictional heat therebetween, thereby welding the first and second workpieces together. As such, the annular support member(s) supports the location having the reduced cross-section during welding.

Methods and systems are provided for a housing for a fastener of a vehicle component. In one example, a housing for a fastener includes a central conduit adapted to receive the fastener, and a radial key extending outward from an outer surface of the housing. The radial key is first pressed against a vehicle component in an axial direction of the housing to form a first section of a channel within an interior of the vehicle component, and the key is then rotated against the interior to form an undercut, second section of the channel in a circumferential direction of the housing.

Methods and systems are provided for a housing for a fastener of a vehicle component. In one example, a housing for a fastener includes a central conduit adapted to receive the fastener, and a radial key extending outward from an outer surface of the housing. The radial key is first pressed against a vehicle component in an axial direction of the housing to form a first section of a channel within an interior of the vehicle component, and the key is then rotated against the interior to form an undercut, second section of the channel in a circumferential direction of the housing.